It’s a good idea as long as the only
incentive is that the upgrade bene;ts the business—no tolls or leases
or other nonsense.

—Robert Millette

There is always an expectation of
profits. If we want roads and other
infrastructure, we should be willing
to pay taxes for it. There is no free
lunch if private business does it.

—Marion Seppala Holly

Public-private partnerships (PPPs)
are used around the world to
;nance large infrastructure projects.

If structured well, PPPs improve
service levels, reduce the need for
public ;nancing and make the users
of infrastructure pay for it.

—Umed Saidov

We have already privatized prisons and it has been a disaster.

Privatization is for profit. If for
profit, the citizen will pay twice as
much for it.

—Terri Schuster

Sure, why not? Just have great
lawyers draw up a great contact
that includes no or very limited
ownership.

—Veronica Chon Chon

I think a lot of people missed civics
class in middle school. This is why
people came together to form government: so we could have things
collectively that we cannot afford
individually but for which there is
little or no capitalistic advantage.

—Jim Tice

Is private ;nancing ofpublic infrastructure agood idea?

AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE (bridges, roads, rail and water systems,ports, etc.) is crumbling. Fixing it has bipartisan support, not just formaking necessary upgrades, but as a way to improve our economy.

But how should we ;nance the effort? Some fear that complete public
funding might lead to budget cuts elsewhere and increased taxes.
Others believe a combination of public and private funds is the best
approach. And there are those who feel that private investment will
only help corporations reap tax advantages and usage tolls but not
signi;cantly improve the economy.